The Shan are a very friendly and hospitable people. The women are usually more vocal, social, and ambitious than the men; however, the men are still the decision makers and chief breadwinners. Most of them work as farmers. They grow rice, corn, sugar cane, tropical fruits, and various vegetables. They also raise domestic farm animals such as chickens, pigs, and water buffalo. Men generally have less education than women, since boys begin working in the fields or accompanying their fathers o­n the trading routes before adolescence. The women primarily stay at home, but some earn income by selling products in the market or managing small businesses.

The Shan have many interesting courting traditions. O­ne example is the "purse throwing game," in which a young woman throws a small purse to the young man of her affections. If he has similar romantic interests, he catches the purse. If not, he allows it to fall to the ground. A more modern tradition takes place in a movie theater. When the room is darkened, the couple shine flashlights at each other. Wedding ceremonies are usually held at either home and are conducted by the local Buddhist monk. In some regions, the bride moves in with the groom's family; in other areas, the groom moves in with the bride's family.

Their staple food is rice, often sweetened and mixed with a bean paste and served inside a pineapple. They also eat meat, poultry, and various vegetables, and drink Chinese tea, beer, Coca-Cola, or other soft drinks.

Men wear button-down shirts with pants or sarong-type skirts. Some men have tattoos o­n their arms and chests. Women of all ages wear heavy, yellow make-up to protect their skin from the sun. They also wear jewelry every day. While single village women wear brightly colored dresses or sarongs with tightly fitted blouses, married village women wear more muted colors; older women often pin up their hair. Sandals and flip-flops are popular footwear. More modern styles are worn by those living in or near cities, but even there the women generally do not wear pants.